2018 Maryland Legislative Session Policy Orientation

Nov 7, 2017 08:30 AM - Nov 7, 2017 01:15 PM

The Westin Annapolis

100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join top elected officials, business executives, and engaged citizens for a high-impact policy orientation on the most pressing issues heading into the 2018 legislative session. With less than a year before Maryland’s next election, the summit will feature government decision-makers and business influencers who are driving critical policy decisions across the state. The summit is sponsored by the Maryland Public Policy Institute - a leading nonpartisan public policy research and education organization in Maryland.

8:00-8:30 am	Registration

8:30-9:00 am	Welcome: Christopher Summers, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Maryland Public Policy Institute

9:00–9:45 am	The Future of Transportation in Maryland
	With up to $1 trillion of federal money on the table for “shovel-ready” projects – and a shift at the state level towards public-private partnerships – Maryland’s transportation policy faces big changes. This panel will provide an update on both federal and state plans to maximize tax dollars and innovative ways we can improve our roads, sewers and ports, and will address how transportation issues will affect the real estate and development industry in Maryland. Moderator – Michael Sargent, Policy Analyst, Transportation and Infrastructure Institute for Economic Freedom, The Heritage Foundation Gregory Slater, State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of Transportation Emmet Tydings, CEO, AB&T Telecom and Vice Chair of the Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance Loren A. Smith, Jr., Senior Advisor, Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

9:45–10:00 am	Break

10:00–10:45 am	Education Funding – Is Maryland Investing Enough?
	According to Education Week, Maryland ranks fifth in overall quality of public schools but the gap in achievement between low-income and affluent students is wide and ranked 42nd in the nation. Some in Maryland believe adjusting the funding formula to inject more taxpayer money into poorer districts will help. Others point to successful school systems elsewhere that have quality outcomes with far less funds spent per pupil. Both approaches will be explored in this panel. Moderator - Andrew Smarick, President, Maryland State Board of Education Tiffany Godbout Williams, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, 114th Partnership John R. Woolums, Esq., Director of Governmental Relations, Maryland Association of Boards of Education Christopher Berry, Principal, Tuscarora High School
10:45–11:00 am	Break

11:00–11:45 am	The State of Brewery Reform in Maryland
	With the explosive growth in the craft brewing industry, Maryland has an opportunity to become a go-to destination for brewery businesses. The 2017 legislative session ushered in significant changes to Maryland’s brewery laws, which prompted passionate debate statewide. This panel will address the state of Maryland brewing laws and the changes needed to compete with Virginia and Delaware to attract this booming business to our state. Moderator – Liz Murphy, Naptownpint.com Len Foxwell, Chief of Staff, Comptroller of Maryland Kevin Atticks, Executive Director, Brewers Association of Maryland Betty Buck, President, Buck Distributing Co., Inc
12:00-1:15 pm	Lunch and Keynote with Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford